Catching up on news, explaining dearth

I have been doing more with results and less with opinion because I think that’s what matters most.

I have watched many matches from all over the D-III map online and in the gym again this year. I certainly have opinions about most teams from the east to west coasts. I figure those opinions matter in the context of the big picture like rankings, so I have been providing commentary on the AVCA polls each week and not much else. And most of that commentary revolves around the top 10.

I doubt anyone cares who I think will win a particular match at this time of year, who my favorite players and teams are, etc. I will provide that element come tournament time like I have in the past. I will also be providing commentary on the regional rankings, but for the time being I’m focusing on day-to-day results.

I think Wartburg, Stevenson and a few others are underrated to different degrees. I think the rubber stamp is in effect for some traditionally solid programs and their falls in the polls have been too modest out of deference. I think there are several great young setters in the Central and Midwest regions. I wonder why some key players from the regions are not on the court this season. I wonder if Wittenberg’s success precipitated many good teams to switch to, or consider strongly, a 6-2 or if teams are just playing to their strengths. In any event it seems like I’m seeing the 6-2 far more this year.

I have opinions and questions. I’m just choosing to provide more scores rather than muck up the posts with my thoughts on a nightly basis.

That means there have been things that I used to do as separate posts. Here are most of those things.

Hamline surpassed its 2011 win total on Sept. 14. UW-La Crosse and UW-Stout surpassed their 2011 win totals the next day. Augustana passed its 2011 win total on Sept. 19; Lakeland on Sept. 21. Other Central and Midwest teams have also either passed 2011 standards this week or on the verge of doing so.

Maranatha senior Torey DeLozier (ever read her name on this blog?) set the NAC career kills record. She has since passed 2,000 kills.

Washington-St. Louis senior Kelly Pang established a new program record for career digs.

Edgewood senior Mallory Palmer surpassed 1,500 career kills.

-Ricky Nelson